“How else could the story of Christ’s life and Christ’s sufferings and risen glory have been so clearly revealed to them as when they were passing through deep waters and coming up out of great tribulations? “Out of the wrath of men He made his will known. While they suffered they learned the fellowship of suffering as they could not by any tongue of missionary or teacher. “While they were in bonds they learned something of the patience and long suffering of Him who endured. “While the war was raging on each side of them and they passed unharmed out through the Red Sea, while the contending hosts fell about them on every side, they learned of the strength of the Lord, the sureness of His protecting care. “While they were encamped in the dark wilderness between the house of bondage and the Promised Land, they learned to wait on the Lord. “And in that long waiting they brightened up the sword of wisdom and the spirit so they could vanquish the hosts of ignorance surrounding the land from whence they were taken in their black ignorance, and to which they returned rejoicing, ready to work for Him who had redeemed them. “I look into the future and I see the hosts of ignorance, and superstition, and idolatry falling before the peaceful warfare of these soldiers of the cross. “I see the idols of superstition and bestial ignorance falling and the white cross lifted up and shedding its pure, awakening light over the hordes of savage men and savage women brought in, washed and made clean, to the marriage supper of the Lord. “As for myself, I truly care not how long I may wait my Master’s call. For whatever pathway I may tread, in this world or the other, I know that He that is risen will go before me; so I fear not the way by land, however long, nor the swelling of Jordan. “And either in the body or out of the body, God knoweth best. I shall see the fulfilment of His promises, I shall see the working out of His plan as it draws nearer and nearer to its perfect fulfilment.” * * * * * I dropped the hands that held that letter into my lap, and sot there in silence. The sun had gone down, but the west wuz a glowin’ sea of pale golden light, and above it a large clear star shone like a soul lookin’ down into this world, a soul that had got above its troubles and perplexities, but yet one that took a near and dear interest in the old world yet. Fur off, away over the peaceful green fields, I could hear the cow-bells a tinklin’ and a soundin’ low and sweet, as the herds wended their way home through the starry dusk. Everything wuz quiet and serene. And as I sot there my heart sort o’ waked up, and memories heavenly sweet, heavenly sad, come to thrill my soul as they must always do while I stay here below, till my day of pilgrimage is over.